Thai Defence Minister insists on territorial defence

BANGKOK, December 23 (TNA) - In response to a recent Cambodian fire at a Thai naval helicopter near the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's eastern Trat Province, Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa insisted on Friday that Thailand will not lose any part of its territory and he will discuss the issue with Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul next week. General Yuthasak told reporters that the Royal Thai Armed Forces has drafted an announcement in response to the fire, but a protest is the responsibility of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through summoning the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand to acknowledge it. General Yuthasak said that Cambodia has its own official announcement on the issue, noting that on the day of the helicopter shot, his Cambodian counterpart General Tea Banh, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, phoned him at once, confirming that Thai and Cambodian commanders have mutual understanding but the incident resulted from a miscommunication due to outdated communication equipment of Cambodia. According to the Thai defence minister, both Thai and Cambodian authorities will soon issue the official announcements to maintain their status, calling on the public not to pay any attention to the case, as the Thai and Cambodian governments understand each other. (TNA)